Victory in DTM Debut Race

Gary Paffett (THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) wins season opener at Hockenheim in first race of new DTM era

• First win in first race for DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé
  
• 100th one-two victory in the DTM for Mercedes-Benz
• 166th victory in 343 DTM races for Mercedes-Benz
• Mercedes-Benz scoops 65 of the 101 points available with five C-Coupé drivers in the Top 8
• Sixth Hockenheim victory (opening and closing races of season) in succession for Mercedes-Benz

Gary Paffett (THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) won the 2012 DTM season opener at Hockenheim from sixth place on the grid with a 4.7- second lead on Jamie Green (Mercedes AMG C-Coupé). It was Paffett’s 18th Victory in the DTM and his fourth at Hockenheim. It was the British driver’s 26th podium in the 82nd DTM race of his career and his seventh in a DTM race at Hockenheim. With 18 wins and a winning rate of 22%, Paffett has achieved the greatest number of victories among those drivers currently contesting the DTM. Paffett and Green secured the 100th one-two victory for Mercedes-Benz in the DTM since 1988.

It was the sixth consecutive Mercedes victory at their home race in Hockenheim (opener and finale), and their third win in a row at a DTM season opener (Paffett 2010 and 2012, and Bruno Spengler, 2011). Overall since 1988, Mercedes-Benz has won 32 of 65 DTM races at the Hockenheimring. During the same period, Mercedes-Benz drivers were victorious 166 times in 343 DTM races.

Paffett’s victory was the first success in the new DTM era in the three-way battle between the three premium brands Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz and the first victory for the new DTM Mercedes AMG C Coupé, the successor to the AMG Mercedes C-Class, which is the most successful vehicle in the history of the DTM with 85 victories in 159 races.

Christian Vietoris (Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG C-Coupé) advanced from 15th on the grid to finish fourth. Ralf Schumacher (Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) and David Coulthard (DHL Paket Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) were also amongst the points, finishing seventh and eighth respectively. Susie Wolff (TV Spielfilm Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) and Robert Wickens (stern Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) ended the day in twelfth and 14th positions. DTM rookie Roberto Merhi (Junge Sterne Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) was forced to retire from the race.

Jamie Green set the fastest lap with a time of 1:34.901 minutes – the sixth time he has done so at Hockenheim. It is also the 36th time in 65 DTM races at this venue that a Mercedes-Benz driver has posted the fastest lap time. Nine of the last ten fastest laps here were set by a Mercedes-Benz driver.

A total of 142,000 fans attended the DTM opener at Hockenheim this weekend (Fri, Sat, Sun). Some 71,000 spectators were at the track for Sunday’s first race of the new DTM era.

SLS AMG lets loose on the race track

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG sets the fastest lap time on the Buddh International Circuit.

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is as much a sight to behold as it is a thrill to drive. There are not many cars on the road that can match its looks and the performance leaves everything else in its dust. But few have actually witnessed the true potential of the SLS AMG. It is capable of going toe to toe with the finest racing cars in the world.

Recently, the SLS AMG gave undeniable proof of that fact.  The lucky participants of the AMG Driving Academy held at the Buddh International Circuit were able to see the car in its true element when it set the lap record for the circuit at 2.1 minutes. The F1 track that not too long ago hosted its first Grand Prix had its fastest time blown away by the Roadster with AMG Driving Academy instructor, Norman Simon, behind the wheel.

The AMG Driving Academy at the Buddh International Circuit is a first of its kind in India. The first session of the AMG Driving Academy got a rousing response with the participants grasping the idea of cornering and braking at race pace. At the end of the day, they left with a sense of awe and accomplishment.

The SLS AMG is certainly making waves, not only on the road but on the race track as well.  

Mercedes-Benz – A True Leader

Mercedes-Benz India expands its footprint in Haryana, inaugurates new dealership at Karnal

• First luxury car dealership in Karnal spread over 34,000 sq. ft. area; investment of over Rs. 30 million.
• Boasts of a display area showcasing the exciting range of Mercedes-Benz cars, boutique display showcase, and exclusive customer lounge creating a delightful customer experience.
• An integrated 3S State-of-art facility on GT Karnal Road which will boast of displaying a total of 11 cars with complete mechanical and Body & Paint workshop is under development.
• Densest network among all luxury car makers in India with 70 touch points in 31 cities.

Continuing its commitment to reach out to new customers, Mercedes-Benz India announced the inauguration of its first state-of-art dealership at Karnal, Haryana. Spread over 34,000 sq. ft., and built with an investment of Rs. 30 million, Berkeley Motors is Karnal’s first ever luxury car dealership primely located at the city’s automobile hub at 118-119 Km Stone, GT Road. The new dealership was inaugurated by Mr. Debashis Mitra, Director, Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India and Mr. Sanjay Dahuja, Managing Director, Berkeley Motors.

Mr. Debashis Mitra, Director, Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India remarked: “Inauguration of Berkeley Motors, the first ever dealership by a luxury car manufacturer at Karnal, is reaffirmation of our long standing association, deep commitment and thorough understanding of the Indian market. As part of our successful ‘Go to Customer’ strategy we are committed to reaching out to more customers and give them the Mercedes-Benz experience of Best or Nothing, which is core to our brand philosophy . I am confident that Berkeley Motors will offer the disconcerted customers of Karnal and nearby areas, the excitement associated with brand Mercedes-Benz through our fascinating product range and distinct world class service.”

Created over a span of two months, the provisional facility of Berkeley Motors, Karnal is spread over a total area of 34,000 sq. ft. embracing a well structured showroom and the full-fledged workshop. Strategically located in the automobile hub of the city at 118-119 Km Stone, GT Road, the new dealership has been established with an investment of Rs. 30 million (3 Crores). The new interim dealership has been designed and created to provide a fascinating ‘Mercedes-Benz experience’ for the customers. In addition to the interim facility, a State-of-art 3S facility on GT Karnal Road which will boast of displaying a total of 11 cars with complete mechanical and Body & Paint workshop is under progress.

 This interim facility at Berkeley Motors includes a Drive-in valet service, exclusive customer lounge combined with the display of a wide range of Mercedes-Benz cars. The accessories arenas, an engaging audio-visual presentation, a boutique collection are some of the elements that will introduce the customer to the world of Mercedes-Benz. Berkeley Motors has dedicated and hand-picked personnel to assist the customers in making the purchase of their dream Mercedes-Benz a hassle free one. Towards this, Berkeley Motors has a qualified & experienced team of committed personnel who will take care of the sales, after-sales and service requirements of the customers.

Equipped with highest quality Mercedes-Benz equipment and trained manpower, the workshop of Berkeley Motors has been built at par with the brand’s stringent universal benchmark. Berkeley Motors boasts of a workshop that can take care of customer service requirements and service 6 cars each day. The workshop can undertake general repairs and accident jobs, spares; round the clock after sales support and also have a separate driver’s lounge. Mr. Sanjeev Dahuja, Managing Director, Berkeley Motors commented on the inauguration: “I am extremely delighted to present the city’s first ever luxury car dealership to the customers of Karnal. To be associated with the Three Pointed Star is a matter of immense prestige and we are delighted at this opportunity. At Berkeley Motors we are inspired by Mercedes-Benz’s brand philosophy of ‘Best or Nothing’ and we will ensure the customers of Karnal and nearby cities are offered Mercedes-Benz’s globally famed vehicle ownership experience enabled through its fascinating and emotion evoking product range and benchmarking service standards.”

With the inauguration of Berkeley Motors, the first ever luxury car dealership at Karnal, Mercedes-Benz remains the leading luxury car brand with the densest sales and services network penetration in India with 70 touch points spread over 31 Indian cities.

Encouraged by its novel and benchmarking ‘Go to Customer’ initiatives like inauguration of the Star Lounge, offering the Star Lease, organizing Star Drive, opening of Trendz concept stores, inauguration of AMG Driving Academy at BIC and rolling-out of Star Showcase across the country; Mercedes-Benz remains confident of its strong growth and further expanding its footprint in the dynamic Indian market.